One of the best tools of national development of the last few centuries has been the cooperative movement. I say this without fear of contradiction. This movement which makes people work together for a common purpose and for the advancement of all, has no equal. The defining principles of cooperatives:- voluntary and open membership, democracy, member participation, training and education and concern for the community, are values that we, as cooperators should remind ourselves of and hold dear. These principles are what bring us here today.
In 2015 we were rocked to the core by the passage of Tropical Storm Erika. All national industries suffered and Agriculture it seemed, suffered more than most. Two years later, in 2017, we were dealt a more mortal blow by the passage of Hurricane Maria, which was the deadliest natural disaster in Dominica to date. We have noted the frustration of the farmers, who it seems are always starting over in the wake of the destruction, trying to rebuild the industry that remains so fundamental to our economy. Our desire to help ourselves to recover even faster is also what brings us here today.
Credit Unions in the country, throughout the Region and even over the world, form, and are part of partnerships and associations that accrue to the benefit of each individual organization. You may have heard of CCCU, WOCCU and CaribDE. In the wake of the devastation of Hurricane Maria, these partnerships and associations assisted us so that our lives and livelihoods could be restored without our societies suffering too much negative impact. And this is also what brings us here today.
I have mentioned three bases of this gathering: (i) the cooperative principles of people helping people, (ii) the cooperative response to members’ needs and (iii) the value of cooperation among cooperatives. Sometime following the passage of Hurricane Maria in 2017, CaribDE, which is ‘Caribbean Credit Union Development Education programme’ started by Kittitian, Mr. Melville Edwards, donated close to ten thousand EC dollars to our Credit Union to assist agriculture recovery. This was an outstanding gesture since CaribDE is not a profit-making association, but an initiative to train volunteers and staff of the Movement to understand credit union philosophy and to give supreme service.
We pause to acknowledge CaribDE and to say thank you, thank you! We take the opportunity to extend heartfelt thanks to all the organizations and people who assisted our recovery at this most crucial time of our lives.
Since the donation could not support smaller donations to our farmers, the Board of Directors sought to purchase a piece of farming equipment that could help a large number of farmers who wished for that assistance. We purchased a TILLER. As you know, the tiller is an excellent soil cultivator that will break up hardened soil and help to incorporate organic material in the earth in preparation for planting. That is what we give today as a community of people thinking how we can best help each other to maximize and strengthen that which defines us. The tiller is for the use of all members who require it on terms that are easy and considerate of other users.
West Coast has already done so much to assist farmers and all whose livelihoods were impacted by the hurricane event last year. But this equipment rental line is a first for us. One small idea, one initiative…one piece of farming equipment. But it is also a huge step into the real cooperative spirit that whispers of consideration, trust, responsibility and integrity…because we need to manage this so that all who wish to can get the benefit of it.
We are all proud. We launch this with a call to farmers to use the tiller when you require it with due regard to the policy crafted for managing it. Remember, like all other pieces of equipment, it has to be maintained, repaired and kept. Partner with the Board to ensure that it can assist many, many farmers to quickly get back on track. Partner with us to ensure that the tiller remains with us for a long time and also that the equipment rental line is extended.
Once again, we extend heartfelt gratitude to all who assisted us in our darkest times. We thank CaribDE and Mr. Edwards for the kind gesture. We thank members who continue to make this Credit Union a strong and vibrant community.
As we launch this initiative, we say three cheers for West Coast and for the CU Movement in Dominica.
